The handling of the controversy surrounding former Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) has drawn criticism, with the leader of the Left party, Ines Schwerdtner, accusing Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU) of a lack of impartiality.
Schwerdtner told “Der Spiegel” that Klöckner has “once again demonstrated that she is not a neutral Bundestag President and is engaging in partisan politics”. Spahn is currently facing scrutiny related to questionable mask procurement deals, a situation exacerbated by a recent report from a special investigator, Margaretha Sudhof.
Despite pressure from the Left party and the Green party, the CDU and SPD factions have declined to convene a new special session of the Health Committee and the Budget Committee. As Bundestag President, Klöckner held the authority to permit such a session, particularly during the parliamentary recess, but followed the direction of the governing parties and denied the request. Schwerdtner, who herself is a member of the Budget Committee, voiced sharp concerns.
Schwerdtner asserted that Klöckner’s decision to block the special session related to the Spahn case indicates a disinterest in a thorough investigation of the mask deals. She suggested that the government and Klöckner appear to be attempting to delay the matter, thereby pushing it out of public view.
